Sunday

When my kids get sick, I tend to feel helpless. I try to make them as comfortable as I can. Once kids are in school and the weather starts changing in either direction, it seems they are crawling with germs. In certain climates (like Michigan) you can have a drastic change from one day (or even hour) to the next making it hard to plan for when it comes to clothing and outerwear especially when sending them off to school.

Sometimes sickness is inevitable though and as a parent, you just have to hope you are prepared when it does find it's way creeping into your home. I've learned over the years, there are a few products you want to have on hand as well as the brands that both my children and I trust. The Pfizer Pediatric Platform products are a popular brand name you will find on the shelf of my medicine cabinet. Because they are available at Target, I can stock up any time I'm out shopping.

Having these on hand is especially important to me since we moved in the last year to the country where Target is still a 25 minute drive from our house. The nearest hospital is at least a 30 minute drive so we want to feel empowered to keep those sicknesses at bay whenever we can without having to leave the home. Of course we work hard as a family to keep the house clean, sanitizing whenever something starts spreading, and all around healthy habits. But as I parent I know that just isn't always possible.

With my youngest Declan sick a LOT this past school year and it being his first year, we've dealt with tons of colds and fevers as he builds up his immune system. The Children’s Dimetapp® seems to be a personal favorite when it comes to the daily colds Declan seems to come home with constantly. Not only does he like the flavor but it helps put his symptoms to rest almost immediately. "Children’s Dimetapp® Cold and Cough tackles a child’s most bothersome stuffy and runny noses, all while working to relieve cough." I like the variety of formula's which help target the specific issues he might be having each particular week. We love having this on hand just in case he starts feeling the slightest sickness.

The Infants’ and Children’s Advil® is one of the few medications either of the boys will take especially when it comes to fevers. Declan thankfully loves the flavor and it is rarely a fight to get him to take this so he can be back at school the next day, fever free. This formula comes in Sugar-free Dye-free Berry, Bubble Gum, Grape, Blue Raspberry, Fruit and Dye-Free White Grape flavors. Because Dane hates taking liquids of any kind, he is a huge fan of the Junior Strength Advil Chewables (and believe me those are always on hand since he won't take much else).

We are constantly trying to teach our children about proper sanitation and hygiene like hand washing and not sharing things like drinks. These types of skills and knowledge can be vital especially with school aged children. When these methods fail, I know I've got Pfizer Pediatric Platform products on hand to get them back on their feet as fast as they come home sick.

Don't touch your face or nose unless you have to and then do it with a kleenex and stay home from school if sick so they can sleep and feel better. I am a crazy person when it comes to washing hands, they must do it every time they come home.